The appeal and reviews of "Cutie Honey": Recommendations for modern anime fans

Cutie Honey: The Eternal Transformation Heroine

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

October 13, 1973 - March 30, 1974 Every Saturday from 8:30pm to 8:56pm

■Broadcasting station

NET

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 25

■Original Story

Go Nagai

■ Production

NET, Toei

■Works

©Dynamic Planning/Toei Animation

■ Story

Honey Kisaragi's father, Dr. Kisaragi, was killed by the criminal organization Panther Claw. What Panther Claw was searching for was the Aerial Element Fixer, developed by Dr. Kisaragi. It is said that it can absorb elements in the air and create anything. With this, it will be possible to freely create precious metals. The Aerial Element Fixer was actually hidden inside Honey, a super android created by Dr. Kisaragi. Using this device, Honey can transform into any form she wants, and begins a fierce battle with Panther Claw to avenge her father.

■Explanation

This original TV anime was created as a media mix project by manga artist Nagai Go and Dynamic Production. Although it is a work aimed at men, it features a female protagonist and a healthy sex appeal that is appealing to boys and young men. Every episode, the protagonist Honey's clothes are torn off and she becomes nude as she transforms, which became a hot topic. The manga began serialization in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shonen Champion magazine to coincide with the broadcast. The opening song became one of the most famous theme songs, and the same title was used in subsequent related works.

■Cast

・Honey/Eiko Masuyama・Danbei/Kosei Tomita・Aoji/Koichi Mori・Sister Jill/Noriko Watanabe

■ Main staff

・Original work: Go Nagai・Character design: Shingo Araki・Art design: Mataji Urata・Music: Takeo Watanabe・Editing: Yasuo Iseki, Yutaka Senkura・Music selection: Shigeru Miyashita・Development: Toei Chemicals・Producer: Shinichi Miyazaki・Production manager: Masaharu Eto, Osamu Yoshioka・Production: NET, Toei


・Theme song
OP
"Cutie Honey"
Lyricist: Claude Q
Composer: Takeo Watanabe
Arrangement: Mitsuru Kotani
Vocals: Yoko Maekawa


ED
"Honey in the Night Fog"
Lyrics by Akira Ito Music by Takeo Watanabe Arrangement by Mitsuru Kotani
Vocals: Yoko Maekawa

■ Main Characters

Honey Kisaragi / Cutie Honey A 16-year-old girl studying at St. Chapel Academy. Her true identity is an android created by Professor Kisaragi. With the Aerial Element Fixation Device built into her body, she has the ability to transform into any form she wishes.


The creator of the android Honey and the inventor of the Aerial Element Fixer. He raised Honey as his own daughter, but was killed by Panther Claw, who was after the Aerial Element Fixer.


Panther Zola is the leader of the mysterious secret society Panther Claw, whose goal is to plunder jewels and artworks from around the world. He targets Honey in order to steal the Aerial Element Fixer, which allows him to create jewels at will.


・Sister Jill
She is Zola's younger sister and right-hand woman, and a senior executive of Panther Claw. She is skilled in using an electromagnetic whip and has high combat abilities, but more than that, her ruthless personality and cunning have led her to put Honey and those close to her in danger.


A newspaper reporter, Hayami Seiji. He happens to be present when Honey's true identity is revealed, and so he decides to support her. He is proactive and has a strong sense of justice, but he also gets into trouble when he jumps into crisis himself, which holds Honey back.


Danbei Hayami is Seiji's father and is an expert in all kinds of martial arts. He thinks of Honey as his own daughter and helps her out in various ways.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: The Black Claws Grab the Heart Episode 2: The Night Dance of the Fire Peony Sword Episode 3: The Red Axe Sets a Trap
Episode 4: I saw a devil in Utsukushigamori Episode 5: The crimson sky is the devil's curse Episode 6: The black scissors that tear dreams apart Episode 7: The black panther sings the dance of death Episode 8: The devil calls from the blue seabed Episode 9: Turn off the devil's whistle Episode 10: The phantom castle choked in fog Episode 11: Don't touch the gold Episode 12: The red pearl is forever Episode 13: Tears are deep in the valley Episode 14: Ah, the last day of school Episode 15: Rage Looking Back with Tears・Episode 16: From the Casino with Love・Episode 17: The Storm Disappears at the End of the North・Episode 18: Burning Hot Blood・Episode 19: Flowers Blooming in the Distant Wilderness・Episode 20: The Lost City of Legend・Episode 21: A Black Shadow Standing in the Green Field・Episode 22: The Paradise Academy of Longing・Episode 23: The Mysterious Scorpio Woman・Episode 24: The Proud Challenger's Poem・Episode 25: Poisonous Flowers Scattered in Hell

■ Related works

"Toei Manga Festival Cutie Honey"
*Released in March 1974.
Episode 12 of the TV series, "The Red Pearl is Forever" (local station version) will be screened.

"New Cutie Honey"
"Cutie Honey F"
"Re: Cutie Honey"

The appeal and evaluation of Cutie Honey

Cutie Honey is a TV anime series based on the original work by Go Nagai that was broadcast in 1973, and has continued to be loved by many fans, including through subsequent media mix developments. The charm of this work is undoubtedly the transformation scenes of the main character, Honey Kisaragi, and the deep story behind them.

The impact of the transformation scene

The most distinctive feature of Cutie Honey is the scene where the main character Honey uses the "Honey Flash" to transform into various forms. This transformation scene became a hot topic due to the bold direction in which Honey's clothes are torn off and she is revealed nude in each scene. This was a very challenging scene, especially for a TV anime in the 1970s, and left a strong impression on viewers. This transformation scene had a major influence on later anime and special effects works, and helped to establish the genre of the transforming heroine.

Depth of story

The story of Cutie Honey is not just about action and transformation scenes, but also contains deep themes. While Honey fights Panther Claw to avenge her father, she also struggles with her identity as an android. This kind of internal drama resonates with viewers and adds depth to the work. Also, the fact that Panther Claw's goal is related to a scientific technology called the Aerial Element Fixer is an interesting setting that reflects the social background of the time.

Character Appeal

Each character in Cutie Honey is unique and charming. The main character, Kisaragi Honey, has a bright and cheerful personality, but also shows a level-headed judgment at times, giving her a multifaceted charm. Panther Zola, the leader of Panther Claw, and his sister, Sister Jill, are villains, but they have a strong presence and add tension to the story. Furthermore, supporting characters such as newspaper reporter Hayami Seiji and his father Danbei are also charming and play important roles in adding excitement to the story.

The appeal of music

The music of Cutie Honey is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of the work. The opening theme, "Cutie Honey," sung by Yoko Maekawa, is very catchy and loved by many viewers. This song has also been used in subsequent related works, making it a symbolic presence of the series. The ending theme, "Honey in the Night Fog," also deepens the worldview of the work with its beautiful melody and lyrics.

Background and influences

Cutie Honey is a work created by Nagai Go and Dynamic Production as a media mix project. Although it is a work aimed at men, it is notable for having a female protagonist, and by incorporating healthy elements of sex appeal, it was created with boys and young adults in mind. This approach had a major impact on later anime and special effects works, and helped to establish the transforming heroine genre. Additionally, a manga serialization was started to coincide with the broadcast, which also contributed to the popularity of the work.

Related works and their reviews

Cutie Honey has been produced not only as a TV series, but also as a film and remake. In 1974, the Toei Manga Matsuri Cutie Honey screened the 12th episode of the TV series, "The Red Pearl is Forever," which enhanced its appeal as a theatrical version. Since the 1990s, various remakes have been produced, including New Cutie Honey, Cutie Honey F, and Re: Cutie Honey, providing new appeal to audiences of each era. These related works continue the essence of the original work while incorporating new interpretations and direction, further expanding the world of Cutie Honey.

Cutie Honey's recommended points

Cutie Honey is a pioneer of the transforming heroine genre, and its impact and appeal have not faded to this day. I recommend this work for the following reasons:

1. The impact of the transformation scene

Honey's transformation scene is characterized by its visual impact and bold direction, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. This scene had a major influence on later anime and special effects works, and helped establish the genre of the transforming heroine.

2. Deep story

The story of Cutie Honey is not just about action and transformation scenes, but also contains deep themes, such as Honey's conflict over her identity and Panther Claw's purpose, which make the viewer think.

3. Charming characters

The characters in Cutie Honey are all unique and charming. The main character, Honey Kisaragi, as well as the supporting characters such as Panther Zola, Sister Jill, Seiji Hayami, and Danbei are all charming and play important roles in adding excitement to the story.

4. Catchy music

The music of Cutie Honey is an important element in enhancing the appeal of the work. The opening theme "Cutie Honey" is loved by many viewers and has become a symbol of the series. The ending theme "Honey in the Night Fog" also deepens the worldview of the work with its beautiful melody and lyrics.

5. Background and influences

Cutie Honey was produced as a media mix project by Go Nagai and Dynamic Productions, and the attempt had a major influence on later anime and special effects works. In addition, the manga serialization that started at the same time as the broadcast also contributed to the popularity of the work.

6. A wide variety of related works

Cutie Honey has been made into not only a TV series, but also movies and remakes. These related works have inherited the essence of the original while incorporating new interpretations and direction, further expanding the world of Cutie Honey.

Conclusion

Cutie Honey is a pioneer of the transforming heroine genre, and its impact and appeal have not faded to this day. With its impactful transformation scenes, deep story, fascinating characters, catchy music, production background and influences, and a wide range of related works, this work has many appealing features that have left a strong impression on viewers and continue to be loved by many fans. If you have not yet seen Cutie Honey, we recommend that you experience this work. You will surely be captivated by its charm.